From Germany to the United States to Germany: Emigration and Remigration Between 1800 and 1914

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. German Immigration Prior to the 19th Century

2.1 The First Germans in the New World

2.2 War in the New World

2.3 The American Revolution

2.4 The Turn of the Century

3. The Era of Mass Migration

3.1 Motives and Circumstances - The Push & Pull Factors

3.2 The Early 19th Century - A Period of Grievances

3.3 The Refugees of 1848

3.4 The Transportation of ‘Social Flotsam’

3.5 Attractors from Abroad

3.6 Evading Military Service and Criminal Prosecution

3.7 Emigration Between the Civil War and World War I

3.8 A Review of the Push and Pull Factors

4. The Journey to the New World

4.1 The Departure

4.2 The Voyage

4.3 The Arrival

4.4 Emigration/Immigration Legislation

4.4.1 Emigration Restrictions in Germany

4.4.2 Immigration Restrictions in the United States

4.4.3 Summing up Both Legislations

5. Germans in the New World - Bound to Remigrate?

5.1 Images of a Paradise - Promises Hard to Keep

5.2 The Reality - Experiences of German Emigrants

5.2.1 Economic Disappointment

5.2.2 Intended Remigration

5.2.3 Family Reasons

5.3 Deutschtümlichkeit - A Lack of Integration?

5.4 Summarizing the Decision to Return

5.5 The Scale of Remigration

5.6 The Return to Germany

6. Conclusion

Objectives and Scope

This thesis examines the transcontinental migration process of Germans to the United States and their subsequent return between 1800 and 1914. It aims to analyze the socio-economic drivers, the hardships of the journey, and the motivations behind the decision to remigrate, providing an integral perspective on this historical phenomenon.

• Analysis of push and pull factors influencing mass migration.
• Examination of the physical and bureaucratic challenges of the transatlantic journey.
• Evaluation of German and American immigration legislation and its impact.
• Reflection on the socio-economic realities of German immigrants in the New World.
• Investigation into the complex motivations for returning to Germany.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1. Introduction: Presents the motivation for the study, focusing on the historical context of German migration to the US and the often-neglected phenomenon of remigration.

2. German Immigration Prior to the 19th Century: Provides a historical overview of early migration waves, including the role of religious persecution and the impact of the American Revolution.

3. The Era of Mass Migration: Analyzes the core push and pull factors, including economic crises, political turmoil (like the 1848 uprisings), and the search for better living conditions.

4. The Journey to the New World: Documents the arduous travel conditions, the risks of the sea voyage, and the development of immigration legislation in both Germany and the US.

5. Germans in the New World - Bound to Remigrate?: Investigates the reality of the American dream, reasons for economic disappointment, and the multi-faceted motivations leading to the return to Germany.

6. Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, confirming that migration was an complex cycle of hardship and hope, where return was often influenced by economic, social, and familial factors.

Keywords

German-American migration, Remigration, Push and Pull factors, 19th century history, Transatlantic voyage, Economic depression, Political refugees, Assimilation, Little Germanies, American Dream, Immigration legislation, Social displacement, Industrialization, Diaspora, Transcontinental migration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of this thesis?

The thesis explores the entire cycle of German-American migration between 1800 and 1914, specifically focusing on the causes of emigration, the journey, life in the US, and the often-overlooked decision of many immigrants to return to Germany.

What are the central themes of the work?

Central themes include the economic and political push/pull factors, the physical and legal challenges of transatlantic travel, the struggle for integration, and the diverse reasons for remigration.

What is the core research question?

The work seeks to uncover the difficulties and obstacles associated with mass migration and identify why a significant number of Germans chose to return to their homeland despite their initial intent to build a new life abroad.

Which scientific methodology is applied?

The study employs a socio-historical analysis, drawing on contemporary accounts, travelogues, emigrant letters, and historical statistics to reconstruct the experiences of German migrants.

What is covered in the main section of the book?

The main part details the history of migration waves, the technological and economic conditions of the journey, the evolution of immigration laws in both countries, and the social realities and integration efforts in the United States.

Which keywords define this work?

The work is defined by terms such as German-American migration, remigration, push and pull factors, transatlantic history, 19th-century socio-economics, and the history of immigration policies.

How did 1848 specifically influence migration?

The 1848 revolutions created a wave of political refugees who sought freedom, which, combined with ongoing economic grievances, caused a massive spike in emigration numbers during the 1850s.

What was the significance of the "Redemptioner System"?

It was a 18th-century contractual system that allowed poor migrants to pay for their passage by working for an employer upon arrival, functioning as a necessary but often abusive precursor to later free labor arrangements.

Why did many migrants return to Germany?

Reasons for remigration varied widely, ranging from economic failure and lack of integration to successful capital accumulation, family inheritance, the need to care for aging parents, or the desire to escape military conscription obligations.

What role did "Little Germanies" play for immigrants?

They served as cultural cushions and "collecting ponds," providing familiar social, religious, and economic structures that offered a refuge for those who felt excluded from the broader American society.